Journal Entry 8: Buddhist Doctrine

I think the Buddhist Doctrine is right in many of its perspectives on life, but I do not agree with the ways it suggests suffering can be ended. The Buddhist Doctrine states that life is suffering, and suffering is caused by ignorance and attachment to material possessions. I agree with this part, because much of life is suffering, and one of the main causes are attachment to things such as money, houses, cars, and other possessions. However, I do not believe that following the Eightfold Path would remedy this, or that "ending suffering" is even a good thing. First of all, I do not think that attempting to get everyone to follow the Buddhist Doctrine is a rational way to end suffering, simply because there will always be people who will not follow it. Also, even if everyone actually did follow it, it would lead to peace, but it would not really be something to celebrate, because everyone would be the same, meditating all day, too busy being "at peace" to be happy. Although suffering is bad, it is necessary so that when something good happens to us, we can appreciate it and be happy.